Sternadel To Retire in April

Fayette County Pct. 2 Commissioner Luke Sternadel plans to retire at the end of April. Sternadel made the announcement at the Commissioners Court meeting last Thursday, March 13.

“It’s probably one of the hardest decisions I’ve had to make,” Sternadel said as he delivered the news during the public comment period of the Commissioners Court meeting.

“It’s time to back down and let somebody else pick it up,” he said.

Sternadel started working for the County as a road and bridge employee in July of 1983.

“I served under four commissioners,” he said. “I learned a lot from them. It helped me become better. I’ve learned how the County works, what works and what don’t work. I wouldn’t have been here that long if I hadn’t enjoyed it.”

Sternadel said he had been thinking about retirement for several months.

“I was undecided,” he said. “We always start working on our budget in June or so. I didn’t feel right for me to do a budget for someone else. I feel like they need to do their own budget. Its a major part of our job. I felt like whoever is going to replace me needs to be hands-on, not only with the road and bridge department, but the budget. That’s a big part of it. By me leaving at the end of April, it will open it up for whoever the judge appoints to experience the budget.”

Elected in 2018, he took office as the Commissioner for the Round Top and Fayetteville on Jan. 1, 2019. He was re-elected unopposed in the 2022 election. Sternadel’s current term expires at the end of 2026.

Had Sternadel resigned earlier in his term, the County would have had to call a special election. At this point in his term, state law stipulates that County Judge Dan Mueller will appoint Sternadel’s successor.

In an interview after the meeting last week, Sternadel reflected on his time with the County.

“We’ve come a long way with replacing bridges,” he said. “We just replaced one this past week, and we have several more on the books to be replaced. If you haven’t been out to Willow Springs lately, you need to go. They’ve taken the old trestle bridge out and we’re refurbishing it. It’s on the bank on Willow Springs Road. It’s probably one of the more amazing things happening in Precinct 2 right now.

“When I started with the County, we probably had less than 30 percent of our roads paved,” he added. “Right now, we’re in the 90s. The majority of our roads are paved. We’ve also been able to upgrade our equipment and keep good equipment. So hopefully, whoever follows me will keep it up.”

Sternadel said his successor will need to keep a close eye on the fast growth in Precinct 2.

“Precinct 2 is probably the fastest growing precinct in the County,” he said. “They’re going to have to be on their toes. With the large amount of new subdivisions coming in, you have to stay on top of them. It’s a lot to keep up with.”

Sternadel said he might take some fishing trips after he retires. But he won’t settle down too much.

“I bale hay and I run some cattle,” he said. “I have a bulldozer and a backhoe. So I’ve got plenty to keep me busy … I’d like to work at my pace and not somebody else’s.”